Novel function of polyphenols in human health: A review

Abstract

With the accelerated pace of modern life people are becoming increasingly stressed. As a result, depression is becoming an epidemic that seriously impacts human life. Although, the antidepressant effect of flavonoids/polyphenols has been demonstrated and drawn considerable attention the mechanism needs further investigation because it is complex and involves different neurotransmitters. Continuing research highlights the dynamic capacity of natural polyphenolic compounds to exhibit their antioxidant effect by a number of potential mechanisms. The free radical scavenging, in which the polyphenols can break the free radical chain reaction, as well as suppression of the free radical formation by regulation of enzyme activity or chelating metal ions involved in free radical production. Thus, the antioxidant properties certainly contribute to their neuroprotective effect. Polyphenols have gained much interest recently due to its antioxidant capacity and possible benefits to human health such as anti-carcinogenic, anti-atherogenic, antiulcer, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, immune modulating, anti-microbial, vasodilatory and analgesic effects. © 2015 Academic Journals Inc.